Katy Trail

Included in these categories:

6 DaySelf-Guided Tour
Daisies on Katy Trail

At a Glance

Surface

Off-Road, Gravel

Distance

20-50 miles/day
170+ miles total

Availability

April through October

From $1,065*

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What’s included

For Double Occupancy
For Solo Riders
Tour and Shuttle
$1,065 per person
$1,860 per person
Tour, Shuttle and Luggage Transfer
$1,195 per person
$2,030 per person
All prices include a one-way shuttle.
10% discount for groups of 6 or more (requiring at least 3 double occupancy rooms).

Our Katy Trail bike tours utilize the best in local B&Bs and hotels to ensure a comfortable and refreshing stay each night. B&Bs are located next to the trail  or in short biking distance along dedicated bike paths and road shoulders (on-road biking is required in Jefferson City and Hermann). Hotel nights in St Charles before and after the tour can be included.

We only choose rooms with private bathrooms and most have one queen bed. Some B&Bs offer rooms with two separate beds, and some have suites which allow up to 3 guests (typically these rooms have a queen and single bed or air mattress).

A one-way shuttle between St Charles and Rocheport is included in all tour prices.

Daily luggage shuttling is offered on this tour. Luggage must be ready each day by 9 a.m. and is transferred to your next overnight location by 4 p.m. We request each rider bring one carry-on sized piece (approximately) and one smaller, personal bag. Odd-sized and/or bulky pieces such as bike stands, coolers, or bike racks are not permitted.

Most breakfasts are included in our Katy Trail tours (all included meals will be noted on your tour quote). For non-included meals we provide daily suggestions and a list of recommended restaurants. Those with significant dietary restrictions, please advise us at the time of booking so that we can communicate this to your B&B correctly.

In smaller towns, restaurants can close at the start of the week (Monday-Wednesday). We will advise you to purchase lunches in advance (the night before) on some days of your tour when we know you’ll be biking through sections that have limited or no food options.

Riders with dietary requests including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free may find that there are limited options on the trail. Rocheport and Augusta have particularly limited options on some days of the week. These diets can be accommodated for breakfast by all B&Bs we book.

All riders will receive access to our Ride with GPS Trip Experience created just for this itinerary. You do not need to have a personal account to use the premium features included. The Experience provides you with a daily itinerary, including where to eat each day, trail highlights, and any specific instructions, all easily accessed on your phone.

It also includes digital mapping with offline voice cues and other premium features. Mapping can be downloaded for use on Garmin and other devices, as well.

Itinerary

Meet your shuttle in St. Charles at 8 a.m. for a transfer to the trail town of Rocheport. You can also choose to be shuttled to Boonville and ride and easy 13.5 miles into Rocheport.

When you arrive, enjoy the day in the small town of Rocheport, with antique stores and views of the natural areas.

Meals: On own
Overnight: Rocheport

Bike out of Rocheport and enjoy perhaps the most scenic section of the Katy Trail. With the bluffs on your left and the Missouri River to your right, you won’t be able to resist taking a few stops for photos.

At the McBaine trailhead you’ll take the MKT Extension into Columbia, Mo.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (optional)
Overnight: Columbia

After breakfast, return along the MKT Extension and rejoin the Katy Trail. Enjoy more amazing views of the bluffs and the river as you continue toward Jefferson City.

In the afternoon, you’ll leave the trail at N. Jefferson and ride a connector trail (approximately 3 miles) to your B&B in Jefferson City, the state capital.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Jefferson City

Return to the Katy Trail via the Jefferson City connector trail, then bike alongside the fields of central Missouri. End the day in the historic town of Hermann, famous for its wineries and German heritage.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Hermann

Take in the open views of central Missouri as you roll past fields and conservation lands. At then end of the day, ride off the trail and up into Augusta, another town popular with wine and food lovers.

Meals: Breakfast
Overnight: Augusta

On your last day biking the Katy Trail, travel through woodlands alongside the Missouri River and back into the populated suburbs surrounding St. Louis. Arriving in St. Charles, end your trip at Frontier Park where statues of Lewis and Clark will greet you. Consider spending the night in St. Charles to enjoy the historic downtown.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel nights before and after can be added to your trip. Just ask!

Vibrant green flora along the Katy Trail

Riding the Katy Trail

Katy Trail tours are offered between April and October, however, May, September, and October are the peak months for riding the trail. (For those with allergies or breathing concerns: the trail runs through farm fields for much of its length and plowing during the fall months can kick up dust and pollen onto the trail.)

Several of the towns along the Katy are very popular with wine lovers and have Oktoberfest events almost every weekend in the fall. For those reasons, we recommend booking a September or October trip at least 6-9 months in advance, if not earlier, to find accommodations.

*We do allow trips to be booked for the summer months, however, central Missouri can be extremely hot (100+ degrees) from mid-June to early September. The heat combined with the lack of shade along portions of the trail can make travelling difficult. We do not advise booking a Katy trip in summer if you have any issues with heat tolerance.

Bike rentals can be reserved in St Charles through Bike Stop Cafe and Katy Bike Rental. A limited number of e-bikes also are available.

Our Katy Trail tours will start and end in historic St. Charles, just across the river from St. Louis, Missouri. There are several hotels in the St. Charles area; we work with the Country Inn and Suites which is located right next to the trailhead and shuttle pick-up area.

There is free, outdoor parking in St Charles for those driving to the trail.

Taxis, shuttles, and Uber options are available for riders flying into and out of the St Louis Airport.

The Katy Trail is crushed gravel and well-maintained by Missouri State Parks. There are trailheads and bathrooms along the route.

The Katy Trail sees relatively frequent recreational use but does not run through a highly populated area. There can be long distances – 30 or more miles – between towns along the trail.

Where food is scarce riders will be advised to purchase a meal in advance.

Cell service is reasonably strong along the majority of trail, with the exception of the area around Hermann.

The Katy Trail has a crushed gravel surface and hybrid/touring/road bikes are all acceptable. Mostly the trail drains well across its entirety. Bikes should have tires with tread and widths of 32 mm or wider for the most comfortable experience.

Tandems, trikes, recumbents and other non-standard frames are also suitable for the trail.

Have a question about this tour?

Contact our professional team with any questions regarding our tours. We are happy to help you discover and arrange your next adventure.

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